I recently discovered the concept of Essential Daily Carry and a great Reddit board with visuals of what different people carry in their pockets on a daily basis (just google the term for all sorts of visual examples).
Per Wikipedia, Essential Daily Carry or “Everyday carry (EDC) refers to a small collection of tools, equipment and supplies carried on a daily basis to assist in tackling situations ranging from the mundane to the disastrous.[1] (wikipedia)”
“The term EDC also refers to the philosophy or spirit of ‘preparedness’ that goes along with the selection and carrying of these items. Implicit in the term is the sense that an EDC is an individual’s personal selection of equipment, arrived at after deliberation, rather than a standardized kit. EDC items normally fit in pockets or small pack, and/or are attached to clothing such as a belt. Emphasis is placed on the usefulness, accessibility and reliability of these items. The core elements of a typical EDC might include a folding pocket knife, a flashlight, a mobile phone, and a multi-tool.” (wikipedia)
From a time management and preparedness standpoint, an EDC is a great idea. Key components for implementing your EDC:
- On a personal level, identify the difference between “need” and “want”;
- Find high-quality multifunctional tools to fill a range of needs;
- Establish one location at home, near your exit, for keeping your EDC; and
- Establish the habit of carrying your EDC with you.
What is essential to you? Where is it, and do you make it convenient and routine to carry it with you every day? In college, I started carrying a small wallet (with money, cards, a pen and bandaids) with my house keys attached. I can still leave the house with just those few things in my pocket with my cell phone, at least for quick, local trips. My smart phone is central to my EDC, with apps for a flash light, wrist watch, note taking, camera, calendar and a digital key ring for store cards. That one tool has lightened my load.
When deciding on your EDC, consider where you go and what you do. For example, there are essential items I don’t carry because every where I go, I have duplicates there. I always keep my work tool box in my car, so I don’t carry extra tools. I have disposable gloves and a clean shirt in there, too, and a well stocked first aid kit as well, so I carry only a very small one in my bag. My EDC can be small because I keep other items like tissues, pens, hand lotion and a nail file in my car all the time.
So what’s in your wallet? Or pocket, as the case may be? Here is a list of common items (from Wikipedia):
- A folding knife, multitool and/or Swiss Army knife
- A wrist watch
- A flashlight (either a key-chain light, a headlamp, or a “tactical” flashlight which has a brighter output used to temporarily blind and stun assailants)
- A whistle or airhorn (noise makers)
- A cell phone or other electronic device like a digital camera to record evidence (sometimes satellite phones if in remote areas)
- Sustainment items such as bottled water and high energy foods
- Pen, pencil, or a tactical pen similar in concept to a Kubotan for striking and stabbing
- Pocket notebook (smart phones and electronic note-taking devices are increasingly being used instead of notebooks)
- Medicine for common ailments and maladies such as allergies and gastrointestinal problems
- Prescription medicine that has to be taken daily
- A compact first aid kit
- Rope or paracord
- Handkerchiefs or other utility cloth
- Keys containing key chain and accessories like a flashlight, nail clipper, pill bottle, folding scissors, carabiner, or Kubotan
- Gloves, which can be latex, nitrile, leather, or synthetic
- Pepper spray/OC spray or stun gun/tazer
- Pistol and holster
- Lighter or matches
So, this week give your essential Daily Carry some thought. Determine what challenges you may face from day-to-day, what is essential, and what should be in your pocket all the time!